We are still waiting for delivery of the final items needed to complete the roof - hopefully it will be done before the rains and the house will be fully operational for the next camping and conference season.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Speakers & Counsellors' House at Samufunda Camp/Conference Site
We are still waiting for delivery of the final items needed to complete the roof - hopefully it will be done before the rains and the house will be fully operational for the next camping and conference season.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thoughts on Forgiveness
Forgiveness.
In the Lord’s pattern prayer, he made reference to “forgiveness”. Note carefully, what He said:
“….Forgive us our sins, as we forgive everyone who sins against us.”
In this sentence, He is making our forgiveness, conditional on our forgiving those who have wronged (sinned against) us.
In 1 John 1 : 7-9 – it is clear that our fellowship with Him, depends on our confession of our sins and receipt of His forgiveness.
I believe that in each of these cases, it is His people, that are being addressed, so this issue is not forgiveness of sin for salvation, but, forgiveness of sin for fellowship with the Lord.
Further reference is made to this idea in Ephesians 4:17-32 where we are challenged to be transformed in our thinking and not to act in the same way as those who do not have the light of life. We are reminded of Christ teaching, the need to “lay aside the old self”and to put on the new self. To be angry but not to sin and not to give the devil an opportunity. Amongst other things we are challenged to forgive each other, just as God, in Christ also has forgiven you.
In Philippians 2 there is further exhortation to follow the example of Christ who did not consider His “own rights” but humbled Himself, and was obedient, even to the point of death – and not just any death, but the humiliating and terrible death on a cross and most of all, endured the separation from His own Father, while He took the punishment for your sins and mine. We are told that we should have the same attitude, the same humility, the same submission as He had. Was it an easy thing for Him to do – think of Him in the Garden of Gethsemane – where He prayed, in such agony and distress, that he sweat, what appeared to be, great drops of blood. No it was not easy, but He endured, “for the joy that was set before Him”. The Joy of seeing a people, formerly rebellious enemies, now purchased, transformed and cleansed – able now, to glorify Him and give Him the honour which He rightly deserved. However, before the Glory – there was the cross. Refer also to Phil 3:7-15 - the apostle counted all things loss compared to the value of knowing Christ Jesus – verse 10 – that I might know Him, the fellowship of His suffering, the willingness to die (to self – my rights and my comforts)
What is forgiveness going to cost you? Can it ever be too much, when you consider what our Lord went thru in order to bring forgiveness to you/me?
Do you want to enjoy fellowship with Him – do you want to grow in your knowledge of Him?. This will not really be possible unless you are willing to forgive those who have wronged you.
What might this forgiveness involve? For Him – it meant both physical and spiritual death – His was the ultimate sacrifice – and because of that we will never have to go into spiritual death – Praise God! For some, however, forgiveness may lead to physical death.
Consider Him!
Looking unto Jesus: Read Hebrews 12: note especially 1-3, verse 14, 28
In the Lord’s pattern prayer, he made reference to “forgiveness”. Note carefully, what He said:
“….Forgive us our sins, as we forgive everyone who sins against us.”
In this sentence, He is making our forgiveness, conditional on our forgiving those who have wronged (sinned against) us.
In 1 John 1 : 7-9 – it is clear that our fellowship with Him, depends on our confession of our sins and receipt of His forgiveness.
I believe that in each of these cases, it is His people, that are being addressed, so this issue is not forgiveness of sin for salvation, but, forgiveness of sin for fellowship with the Lord.
Further reference is made to this idea in Ephesians 4:17-32 where we are challenged to be transformed in our thinking and not to act in the same way as those who do not have the light of life. We are reminded of Christ teaching, the need to “lay aside the old self”and to put on the new self. To be angry but not to sin and not to give the devil an opportunity. Amongst other things we are challenged to forgive each other, just as God, in Christ also has forgiven you.
In Philippians 2 there is further exhortation to follow the example of Christ who did not consider His “own rights” but humbled Himself, and was obedient, even to the point of death – and not just any death, but the humiliating and terrible death on a cross and most of all, endured the separation from His own Father, while He took the punishment for your sins and mine. We are told that we should have the same attitude, the same humility, the same submission as He had. Was it an easy thing for Him to do – think of Him in the Garden of Gethsemane – where He prayed, in such agony and distress, that he sweat, what appeared to be, great drops of blood. No it was not easy, but He endured, “for the joy that was set before Him”. The Joy of seeing a people, formerly rebellious enemies, now purchased, transformed and cleansed – able now, to glorify Him and give Him the honour which He rightly deserved. However, before the Glory – there was the cross. Refer also to Phil 3:7-15 - the apostle counted all things loss compared to the value of knowing Christ Jesus – verse 10 – that I might know Him, the fellowship of His suffering, the willingness to die (to self – my rights and my comforts)
What is forgiveness going to cost you? Can it ever be too much, when you consider what our Lord went thru in order to bring forgiveness to you/me?
Do you want to enjoy fellowship with Him – do you want to grow in your knowledge of Him?. This will not really be possible unless you are willing to forgive those who have wronged you.
What might this forgiveness involve? For Him – it meant both physical and spiritual death – His was the ultimate sacrifice – and because of that we will never have to go into spiritual death – Praise God! For some, however, forgiveness may lead to physical death.
Consider Him!
Looking unto Jesus: Read Hebrews 12: note especially 1-3, verse 14, 28
Friday, August 15, 2008
Some photos from Girls' Camp
Top - The group assembled for 1 of the sessions. In Front Mrs Grace Ngonjongo - one of our fellow directors (wearing whistle)
Middle - Girls doing embroidery on headscarves - thanks to Mrs Gould, Margie's mother
Bottom - One of the session leaders, Mrs Catherine Machayi - "Christian Behaviour & Dress" "Whatsoever you do - do ALL to the Glory of God"
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Please pray for Richard and Katherine
Our dear little Elysha went to be with the Good Shepherd on July 22.
the funeral will be this weekend and they and we, pray that it will be a time when Our Lord is honoured and glorified.
How thankful we are, to the Lord, for the time that she was lent to them and to us all, as a family.
"...Now, He didn't give you that baby, by 100.000 miles,
He just think you need some sunshine, and He lent 'her' for a while,
and He let you love and keep 'her' til your hearts were bigger grown,
and those silver tears you're shedding, are just interest on the loan,
so my poor dejected mourners, let your hearts with Jesus rest,
and don't go criticizing, the One who knows the best.
He gives us many comforts,
He has a right to take away,
To the Lord be praise and glory,
Now and ever,
Let us pray..."
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Senior Boys' Camp & Other Camps
The Long weekend - is the traditional time to hold our Senior Boys' Camp - here is just one shot from that weekend. A great weekend - thank you for praying. Please continue to pray for those who trusted the Lord. Two boys there who said they were Muslims but on the last day one of them declared that he had now decided "to follow Jesus".
Bruce Mukwatu was the speaker and gave very challenging messages. A few days after the camp he came thru to us here in Kabompo and spoke on two consecutive evenings to a packed hall. Bruce had also been one of the speakers at the Marriage Conference and although I was still in Lusaka at that time, awaiting the transport back to Kabompo - I am still hearing comments about that conference and the effect it is having in some lives. It was good to have Bruce and his wife Alice, stay with us - it is many years now since they had their wedding reception in our back yard and spent the first night of their married life, in our caravan! Currently they are both in Angola for outreach there and after returning to Zambia, Alice will, Lord willing, be speaking at our Senior Girls' Camp.
This is monday morning - our Junior Girls' Camp begins on Thursday afternoon and we are thankful that Daisy Hanna of Loloma Mission, has agreed to lead the main sessions there. I have been hurrying to try and finish all the printing before our Electricity company's diesel runs out - what a relief to learn that the diesel has arrived and to actually be able to have our electricity come on at 06.00 hours . Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy.
Some years ago we had a little granddaughter born during our Junior Girls' Camp - on another year - a young Zambian widow, who was like a daughter to us and was living with us - came thru to camp and that weekend, decided to give birth to her little daughter - so I spent quite a bit of that weekend with her. This weekend however, promises to be the other end of the spectrum. Our little lamb, Elysha, will shortly be going home, it appears, and so most probably, the weekend of Junior Girls' Camp, this year, will be the time of her funeral. The picture above is one I took in hospital at the time when I had made the short trip back, expecting to attend her funeral - still so beautiful but unresponsive. It has been a long road, especially for Richard and Katherine, but we are so thankful for the wonderful support they have had from friends and family - especially the family of God. We are thankful that we had opportunity to know her and o enjoy her beautiful smile - and that I, Elva, had opportunity to spend that little time with them and so appreciate some of what they have been going thru over these past weeks.
Wonderful to know that she will soon be "safe in the arms of Jesus" - but we know that for Richard and Katherine, their arms will be empty. We continue to pray for them as they look forward to the arrival of another little one in December D.V.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Does anyone of our friends or prayer partners, read this blog?
I sometimes wonder - but perhaps you have become weary of checking here and finding nothing new. I am about to add another item or two. I think the title of this page is very appropriate - as the past year seems to have been a lot of moving back and forth!
Currently tho - we are both in Zambia - but our hearts are stretched across the miles!
Little Elysha is still hanging on - waiting the call of the Good Shepherd.
A comment I read the other morning:
"If He is omnipotent and omniscient, (and we know He is) then there is no way to improve upon His ways and timing.
And so we trust and wait on Him.
Thank you to all who pray for Elysha, her parents and for ourselves and the rest of the family.
Currently tho - we are both in Zambia - but our hearts are stretched across the miles!
Little Elysha is still hanging on - waiting the call of the Good Shepherd.
A comment I read the other morning:
"If He is omnipotent and omniscient, (and we know He is) then there is no way to improve upon His ways and timing.
And so we trust and wait on Him.
Thank you to all who pray for Elysha, her parents and for ourselves and the rest of the family.
Friday, April 18, 2008
A brief update.
Life has been a bit of a whirlwind, and access to internet and computers has not always been possible. currently Elva's computer is away for repairs. We are presently in Port Colborne and are happy with our new home here. It has been well "broken in" by Rachel and looks quite African in some areas.
Due to the fact that Elva's Dad was so unwell - Elva left Kabompo earlier than we had planned and spent some weeks in N.Z. before being joined by Don in Feb. Elva is thankful for the good days and the not so good days she was able to spend with her Dad and other family members. When it was time for us to leave and continue our journey to the USA - Dad was far from well - but we continued anyway - and made it to Lincoln with just a days to spare, before Nehemiah Walter Van Essen "marched forth" on March 4. Dad was well enough to be very thrilled that his latest Great grandchild had been given his name. Very shortly after Nehemiah was born we were told that Daddy only had days to live. We arranged to shorten our stay slightly so that we could get to see little Elysha before Elva returned to N.Z. for her father's funeral. She was able to get a cheaper flight out of Buffallo and so after only 2 1/2 days in Canada, she was on her way back to N.Z. where the funeral was held 2 days after her arrival. She was thankful to be able to take back photos and first hand report of these little ones - to family and the many friends who had been praying. She was very thankful to be able to be present for this funeral since she had missed her mother's funeral.
It was great to be with Sarah and Matt and family - time went very quickly and of course was quite busy. Before we left, we were blessed with some lovely days that enabled us to go with all the children and Sarah, to the park. We did enjoy being able to witness some of their cuteness first hand - we will treasure those memories in the days ahead when the distances are even greater.
It was wonderful too, to be able to meet Elysha first hand - she is a little lamb - such a sweet little smile - it is a busy life for her parents too with tube feeds, injections and illeostomy care - but they do a great job. They have just moved into their new home in Milton - very thankful for more space.
Richard and Katherine brought us to our new house in Port Colborne and it was lovely for us all to be together and share a meal - before I took off again to N.Z.
The ticket which I purchased enabled me to spend about 11 days with my sister Marilyn and we went thru a lot of dads and mothers things to gether - many memories. Was amazing how much time and effort my dad had put into Bible Study and note taking - even during this past year. All the more special when we knew that reading and writing never came easy to our dad.
We are thankful for the good year he had following his diagnosis with Myeloma and for the wonderful care he was given by the staff at the Rest Home where he stayed. They loved him and devotedly cared for him when his situation deteriorated.
Thank you to all who prayed for us and who have so faithfully prayed too for Elysha. Richard and Katherines web page will give you more information but she will be in hospital again next week for a cardiac catheterization.
We are travelling between Port Colborne and North Bay - with appointments and meetings. Time is going very fast and it will soon be May 11th and time for us to leave again.
If you want to contact us - please continue to use dandebrooks@gmail.com
Due to the fact that Elva's Dad was so unwell - Elva left Kabompo earlier than we had planned and spent some weeks in N.Z. before being joined by Don in Feb. Elva is thankful for the good days and the not so good days she was able to spend with her Dad and other family members. When it was time for us to leave and continue our journey to the USA - Dad was far from well - but we continued anyway - and made it to Lincoln with just a days to spare, before Nehemiah Walter Van Essen "marched forth" on March 4. Dad was well enough to be very thrilled that his latest Great grandchild had been given his name. Very shortly after Nehemiah was born we were told that Daddy only had days to live. We arranged to shorten our stay slightly so that we could get to see little Elysha before Elva returned to N.Z. for her father's funeral. She was able to get a cheaper flight out of Buffallo and so after only 2 1/2 days in Canada, she was on her way back to N.Z. where the funeral was held 2 days after her arrival. She was thankful to be able to take back photos and first hand report of these little ones - to family and the many friends who had been praying. She was very thankful to be able to be present for this funeral since she had missed her mother's funeral.
It was great to be with Sarah and Matt and family - time went very quickly and of course was quite busy. Before we left, we were blessed with some lovely days that enabled us to go with all the children and Sarah, to the park. We did enjoy being able to witness some of their cuteness first hand - we will treasure those memories in the days ahead when the distances are even greater.
It was wonderful too, to be able to meet Elysha first hand - she is a little lamb - such a sweet little smile - it is a busy life for her parents too with tube feeds, injections and illeostomy care - but they do a great job. They have just moved into their new home in Milton - very thankful for more space.
Richard and Katherine brought us to our new house in Port Colborne and it was lovely for us all to be together and share a meal - before I took off again to N.Z.
The ticket which I purchased enabled me to spend about 11 days with my sister Marilyn and we went thru a lot of dads and mothers things to gether - many memories. Was amazing how much time and effort my dad had put into Bible Study and note taking - even during this past year. All the more special when we knew that reading and writing never came easy to our dad.
We are thankful for the good year he had following his diagnosis with Myeloma and for the wonderful care he was given by the staff at the Rest Home where he stayed. They loved him and devotedly cared for him when his situation deteriorated.
Thank you to all who prayed for us and who have so faithfully prayed too for Elysha. Richard and Katherines web page will give you more information but she will be in hospital again next week for a cardiac catheterization.
We are travelling between Port Colborne and North Bay - with appointments and meetings. Time is going very fast and it will soon be May 11th and time for us to leave again.
If you want to contact us - please continue to use dandebrooks@gmail.com
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